VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow Town, hosts artwork from local, national and international artists in five different gallery spaces. Admission is free of charge to all the gallery spaces. There are also a lot of activities to enjoy with various workshops and classes taking place in the building as part of the Learning and Engagement Programme throughout the year.
VISUAL has a theatre which hosts a varied programme of music, comedy, drama, film and dance. The George Bernard Shaw Theatre can seat 335 people, and a full list of events can be viewed on their website or by calling the box office team.
VISUAL was designed by Terry Pawson, a British architect with vast experience in designing buildings for the arts and cultural sector after he won an international architectural competition held by the RIAI. The €18m development is a joint project of Carlow Local Authorities and the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism under the Access Programme.
VISUAL also houses a restaurant, Lennons@Visual.
- 3 Hail Marys
Arts and culture3 Hail Marys Set in an Irish nursing home, be prepared to fall in love with three very different Marys as they share their life stories on their final day together.
- Carlow Little Theatre presents Big Maggie
Arts and cultureCarlow Little Theatre presents Big Maggie Carlow Little Theatre Society returns with John B. Keane’s Big Maggie, a gripping tale of power, defiance and the cost of control in rural Ireland.
- Grace by Jody O'Neill
Family funGrace by Jody O'Neill This exciting new production explores family and communication as Grace and her father invite you into the multisensory landscape of Grace's world.
- Celine Byrne - Songs of Inspiration & Hope
Arts and cultureCeline Byrne - Songs of Inspiration & Hope Join world-renowned Irish soprano Celine Byrne for a night of music from stage and screen with her new concert, Songs of Inspiration & Hope.
- Sinderella - Gagging for a Ball
Sinderella - Gagging for a Ball Leave the kids at home and brace yourself for a wild, adults-only panto packed with filthy jokes, boozy laughs, and zero limits!
- The Summer Country Show
Arts and cultureThe Summer Country Show Get ready for an unforgettable night of toe-tapping tunes and country classics as The Summer Country Show rolls in.
- Carlow Arts Festival 2026: Camille O'Sullivan: Loveletter
Arts and cultureCarlow Arts Festival 2026: Camille O'Sullivan: Loveletter A spell-binding love letter in song by Camille O’Sullivan with Feargal Murphy as part of Carlow Arts Festival 2026.
- The Big Sing with Eurovision's Charlie McGettigan
Arts and cultureThe Big Sing with Eurovision's Charlie McGettigan THE BIG SING brings together SING SYNC: A Choir for Everyone, special guest Charlie McGettigan and you - the audience - to sing together
Stroll around the 18th century surrounding parklands of Carlow College next door. Pop into the reception on weekdays to view the Carlow Art Collection, housed there permanently.
